Iran — Capital, Flag and Country Facts

Explore Iran: capital Tehran, population, flag, geography, languages, history and culture.

Iran is in Asia. Its capital is Tehran.

Climate

Mostly arid or semiarid; subtropical along the Caspian coast

Rugged mountainous rim surrounding a high interior basin with deserts and small discontinuous plains

Iran is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, dating back to 7000 BC.

Iran has 27 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other country in the Middle East.

The Persian New Year, Nowruz, is celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide.

550 BC: Cyrus the Great founds the Achaemenid Empire

651: Arab conquest introduces Islam to Persia

1501: Safavid dynasty establishes Shia Islam as state religion

1925: Reza Shah founds the Pahlavi dynasty

1979: Islamic Revolution overthrows the Shah; Islamic Republic established

2015: Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) signed with world powers